Pre-1933 US Gold Coins: Melt Value and Premiums
Every pre-1933 US gold coin is 90% gold. Here's how much gold each one holds, how to price it at melt and why most sell above that floor.
Barber Quarter Melt Value
Markets closed: precious metals don’t trade on weekends, so prices show Friday, Nov 6’s close. Live updates resume Sunday evening (ET). Last checked ET
Melt value of one Barber Quarter
$9.43
Face value $0.25Melt ÷ face 37.70× Pure silver 0.18085 ozSilver spot $52.07
A Barber Quarter (1892–1916) weighs 6.25 grams and is made of 90% silver, 10% copper. That works out to 0.18085 troy ounces of pure silver, so at today’s spot price the metal in one coin is worth about $9.43.
Barber Quarter specifications
| Years | 1892–1916 |
|---|---|
| Face value | $0.25 |
| Weight | 6.25 g (0.2009 troy oz) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Diameter | 24.3 mm |
| Silver content | 5.625 g (0.18085 troy oz) · worth $9.42 |
| Copper content | 0.625 g · worth $0.0088 |
How much are Barber Quarter coins worth in bulk?
| Quantity | Face value | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.25 | $9.43 |
| 5 | $1.25 | $47.13 |
| 10 | $2.50 | $94.26 |
| 40 (1 roll) | $10.00 | $377.03 |
| 100 | $25.00 | $942.57 |
| 1,000 | $250.00 | $9,425.69 |
How the Barber Quarter melt value has changed
| Date | Melt value then | Change to today |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month ago (Oct 8, 2026) | $10.76 | ▼ -12.38% |
| 1 year ago (Nov 8, 2025) | $8.69 | ▲ +8.46% |
| 5 years ago (Nov 8, 2021) | $4.43 | ▲ +112.66% |
| 10 years ago (Nov 8, 2016) | $2.72 | ▲ +245.92% |
Based on stored daily closing prices.
Melt value vs. what your Barber Quarter is worth
Melt value is the floor: the value of the metal alone. Dealers who buy coins for their metal usually pay a little below melt. Coins with a rare date, mint mark or error, or in uncirculated condition, can sell for far more than melt to collectors – check a current price guide or have the coin graded before selling anything that looks scarce.
Have several coins? Use the coin melt value calculator or the junk silver calculator.
Other quarters
| Coin | Years | Metal content | Melt value | × face |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Standing Liberty Quarter | 1916–1930 | 0.1808 oz silver | $9.43 | 37.7× |
 Washington Quarter (silver) | 1932–1964 | 0.1808 oz silver | $9.43 | 37.7× |
 1976-S Bicentennial Quarter (40% silver) | 1976 | 0.0739 oz silver | $3.90 | 15.6× |
 Washington Quarter (clad) | 1965–present | 5.67 g · 91.67% copper | $0.0805 | 0.3× |
Melt value = metal content × today’s spot price. It is not what a dealer pays (usually less) or a collector’s price (often more).
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Barber Quarter worth in melt value today?
At today’s metal prices (November 8, 2026) one Barber Quarter contains about $9.43 worth of metal. This is the melt (scrap) value – rare dates and coins in top condition can sell for much more to collectors.
How much silver is in a Barber Quarter?
A Barber Quarter weighs 6.25 grams and contains 0.18085 troy ounces (5.625 grams) of pure silver.
Is a Barber Quarter worth more than its face value?
Right now the metal in a Barber Quarter is worth 37.7× its face value of $0.25.
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Melt values are estimates based on spot prices and official coin specifications. Dealers usually pay less than melt; rare coins can be worth far more to collectors.